Tag Archives: Religion

The Key to Effective Prayer

Prayer will be heard with greatest effect when it comes spontaneously from the heart and soul expressing in your own words your desire to help others or to become a more spiritual person.

Do not pray for material things because God has already provided what you need. Do not pray for elevation of your earthly status, for it counts for nothing in the spiritual realm. Rather, pray for elevation of your soul through your expression of love, compassion, and service.

 

You might like to see the discussion of prayer that appears on pages 76-81 in The Teachings of Silver Birch, edited by A.W. Austin.

A Statement of Faith

From Wallpaperflare.com

Perhaps we all wonder at one time or another why there is so much pain and suffering. Why is life so difficult at times? Why do “bad” things happen to good people? And many other perplexing questions.

We have to accept that there are some things that we are not meant to know or that our current level of spiritual awareness precludes understanding. I believe in the old adage: “Everything happens for a reason.” This is a statement of faith in spiritual processes aimed at fostering our spiritual development. 

It’s important to remember that understanding what is beneficial or harmful to our spiritual development requires a view from the perspective of eternity to which we are not privy. Something thought to be “bad” now, may in fact, be good for our development in the flow of eternity. After all, we tend to become stronger, more spiritually enlightened, and to learn lessons best from adversity.

You might like to see the following related articles:

What is Faith?

Faith and Spiritual Awareness

Step One

The Red Lotus: Symbol of Love and Compassion

Genuine, heart-felt compassion is step one for becoming a spiritual person. We cannot claim to be spiritual in any way without it.

Once we take that step and consistently look outward (as well as inward), we will have set out on a path to greater spiritual awareness.

Compassion is a powerful, unspoken prayer for mercy and healing for those who suffer.

You might like to see the following related articles:

Compassion as Healing

Pillars of Spirituality

How is My Divine Self Revealed?

The Secret to Happiness

The “secret” to happiness is a consistent mindset of:

Gratitude

Thankfulness

And helping others

This will greatly diminish negative thoughts and attitudes, and being self-absorbed. In turn, this will result in greater expression of your spirituality.

Compassion as Healing

Mother Teresa, an Icon of Compassion
Credit Unknown

…And when he came into the garden, he saw the boy sitting with his face in his hands, weeping. He asked, “Why are you crying?”

The boy replied, “When I think about all of the suffering around the world, it’s painful and overwhelming. I feel powerless to help.”

“But you are helping; your compassion has power. Acknowledging the suffering of others allows us to radiate healing energy. It also gets the attention of those in the spirit realm who have the ability to bring healing to the earth plane.”

Hearing this, the boy said, “If what you say is true, then compassion may be the universal remedy for suffering of all kinds! How can the solution be so simple?”

“As I said, compassion has power. It starts a stream of healing energy and motivates people to seek ways to help the afflicted. The help we extend to those in need is healing not just to them, but also to us.”

With that the boy wiped away his tears, gave his mentor a big hug of gratitude, and went away smiling.

Thanksgiving Prayer

My dear God, thank you for all of the blessings and gifts that I have; that I have had; and that I may have in the future.

But most of all, thank you for your love and compassion, not just for me, but for all of your human children.

May each person strive to love all people around the world without prejudice, fear, or favoritism.

A Glimpse of the Soul

 

Source Unknown

 

You’ve likely heard the saying that “eyes are windows to the soul.” Masking during the pandemic has led me to believe there is some truth to this.

With everyone wearing a mask, we are forced to focus on the eyes of strangers that we meet and engage in conversation. What I have found is that if you open your mind and remain present, you may see a beautiful soul behind the eyes of people that you meet.

When this happens, your communication will be beyond the form of words or conscious thought; rather, it will be a primordial sensitivity and understanding. An inexplicable knowing between strangers that is uplifting and joyful.

You might like to see the following related articles:

With Spirit Eyes I See...

Spiritual Kinship

Explosion of Beauty

Explosion of Beauty
Copyright 2020

An explosion of beauty radiating hope, love, and compassion in all directions.

Open your mind, absorb it, and let it give your spirit sustenance!

 

Background

This is a guava tree blossom that I stumbled upon by chance. The flower is less than three centimeters in diameter. I have walked past this tree often over many years and this is the first blossom I have seen. The blossom quickly withered to an unrecognizable form within 24 hours. I could not find any others on the tree. Apparently, its bright radiance could not be sustained for very long. But if its uncommon beauty is fully absorbed by the observer, its affect on the spirit will be lasting.

The Essence of Spirituality

Girl with a Pearl Earring
Johannes Vermeer 1665

Ultimately, spirituality is about people and how they interact with one another.

Like art, spirituality is a personal expression of beauty, emotion, and soul.

We Exist in the Ethereal Spaces Between the Atoms

We Exist in the Ethereal Spaces Between the Atoms Copyright 2013 by Blair Atherton

We Exist in the Ethereal Spaces Between the Atoms
Copyright 2013 by Blair Atherton

Reblogged from livingthelifeofspirit.com

As noted in my book and in previous blog articles, I believe that our true life is one of spirit. That is why I promote the idea of living a life of spirit rather than one anchored in the physical world.

We were created in spirit and will remain so forever more. Our spiritual existence does not stop or go into abeyance during the brief periods when we are clothed with a physical body. We may lose touch with our spirit-self from time to time, stupefied by the many distractions of the physical world.

But in the background, out of the din, our spirit cries out for expression. The challenge is to have the presence of mind and desire to hear it.

Our spirit calls to us with the sweet, soft voice of a lover, to remind us that we exist in the ethereal spaces between the atoms of the physical world. We are merely passers by and should consider what spiritual legacy we wish to leave behind in the physical world, because that is the only thing that will follow us when it is time move on.

While all that is composed will eventually be decomposed, our spirits will continue to exist as a part of our everlasting Creator. Just as He has always existed and always will, so shall we.

Note: The last paragraph above relates to my blog article of August 2, 2013 titled All That Is Composed Shall Be Decomposed.